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Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune form of hair loss in which the body’s immune system attacks its own hair follicles, which it should not do. Like many other health problems, it sometimes starts after a stressful event.

Affected areas are usually circular, unless they involve the hairline. They can vary in size and can involve any hairs on the body – scalp, eyebrows, lashes, and even body hair.

The form of hair loss may improve spontaneously, but because we have no idea of when this may occur (weeks to years), we provide treatment. We also often recommend patients visit the website for the the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (www.naaf.org).

PEDICURE SAFETY – Do you know how to keep your tootsies safe during a pedicure?

Be sure the salon has a current state license displayed and that the pedicurist is also licensed by the state board.

Ask how the footbaths are cleaned. The bacterial are trapped in the filter, which should be cleaned frequently. A bleach solution should be circulated for 15 minutes.

Do not shave your legs for at least 24 hours before your pedicure. Small nicks from shaving allow bacteria to invade your skin.

Make sure the salon sterilizes clippers and metal instruments between clients. Items that cannot be sterilized (such as files, emery boards, etc) should be new for each client. Better yet, bring your own.

Do not let the pedicurist cut cuticles or trim dead skin around your nails.

If the pedicure spa tub does not look clean, forgo the pedicure and go somewhere else!

ARTAS ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANT UPDATE!

Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group has the first ARTAS System robot for hair transplantation in Metro Detroit!

Robotic technology allows for permanent hair restoration WITHOUT the pain and stitches associated with traditional hair transplants. Recovery time is fast, with most patients returning to work and other activities within a few days.

How does it work? The ARTAS robot identifies your optimal hairs to use for transplant (these hairs are typically taken from the back of the head). Hair is then selectively harvested with robotic precision to preserve the natural look of your donor area. Dr. Edwards then transplants the hair into the thinning and bald areas. Patients observe noticable, permanent, thicker hair growth in 4-6 months. This hair will continue to fill in over the next year.

The ARTAS robot was designed with the patient in mind. In the past, hair transplants could be a difficult proposition. Patients feared unnatural or pluggy results. Previous transplant techniques were more invasive, requiring stitches and many weeks of recovery time. Even after recovery, patients often lived with an annoying and obvious line scar in the back of the head, resulting in the feeling of scalp tightness and hair style limitations. With the ARTAS robot, patients can now expect great-looking results without the downside of older techniques. Hair plugs, invasive surgery, and long recoveries are things of the past.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a form on non-scarring hair loss that is genetically-influenced. It can affect both men and women. AGA is a progressive form of hair loss that requires ongoing treatment to maintain the hair.

Genetic hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in the world.

This diagnosis of AGA can be confirmed by scalp biopsy. If you think you may be affected by genetic hair loss, schedule your hair loss consultation with Dr. Edwards right away. The sooner you start treatment, the better the change of your maintaining and regrowing your hair.

Treatment options for genetic hair loss can include Rogaine, Spironolactone (only for women with AGA), Propecia (only for men and some post-menopausal women), low level laser, platelet-rich plasma injections, and hair transplant surgery. Combination therapy tends to be more effective in maintaining control of genetic hair loss.

Benzoyl peroxide is an importance topical medicine that we use in the treatment of acne. When applied to the skin, it makes the skin cells turnover more quickly and causes the skin to peel. More importantly, benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that contributes to acne (Propionibacterium acnes) and helps to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in many over the counter acne preparations. It can also be found mixed into prescription topical agents to help the prescribed acne medicine work more effectively.

JUNE’S PRODUCT OF THE MONTH – Michigan SKIN’s Creamy Acne Wash

Our exclusive Creamy Acne Wash is a specially-formulated and designed to thoroughly cleanse acne-prone skin.

The wash contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient proven to kill the bacteria that contributes to acne and prevents bacterial resistance to other acne medications.

Our acne cleanser is soap-free and less irritating to the skin compared to other benzoyl peroxide washes.

Michigan SKIN Creamy Acne Wash – $12 plus tax

PLATELET RICH PLASMA FOR HAIR LOSS

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection is a newer treatment for genetic and other types of hair loss. The process involves injection of the patient’s own growth and healing factors (collected through a simple blood draw from the arm) into the scalp to reverse hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. The injections are administered 1-2 times per year by Dr. Edwards. Multiple treatments are required for maximum effect.

PRP with stem cells utilizes injection of PRP along with a patient’s own adult stem cells into the scalp to reactivate hair follicles to start regrowing hair. All cells in the body, including hair follicle cells, are derived from stem cells. Adult stem cells are collected from fat cells in the abdomen through liposuction. The stem cells are harvested and reinjected into the thinning areas of the scalp. This is recommended for severe cases of scarring hair loss where transplant is not an option.

Our staff is happy to discuss with you whether PRP is an option for your type of hair loss.

Patients receiving treatment for hair loss are often recommended to take a vitamin supplement containing biotin. Biotin, a member of the Vitamin B family, is used to improve hair strength and prevent hair growth from being stunted.

Although there are no good clinical studies to support the effectiveness of biotin supplementation in patients experiencing hair loss, there have been so many patients who report improvement that dermatologists continue to incorporate it into hair loss treatment.

In general, it is difficult for vitamins to reach the hair follicle (the root of the hair) and benefit hair growth. Applied externally, vitamins need to penetrate into the deepest layers of the scalp skin to enter the hair follicle. Taken internally, vitamins have to go through one’s gut, bloodstream, and organs before even reaching the hair. Therefore, higher doses of biotin are usually required for hair loss patients to observe any benefit.

NIKKI’S ACNE CORNER – THE BENEFITS OF A TOPICAL RETINOID

Topical retinoids are a class of rub-on medications that are commonly prescribed for the treatment of acne. Derived from Vitamin A, topical retinoids act by increasing skin cell turnover, thus restructuring disorganized skin cells and unclogging pores. Retin-A is the oldest and most famous of the retinoids, but there are many other options now available – common brands include Ziana, Atralin, Retin-A Micro, Epiduo, Differin, and Tazorac.

Topical retinoids are typically prescribed for patients to use at night after cleansing their skin. These medicines are very powerful, so they are to be applied sparingly to the face. In face, a pea-sized amount is enough to cover one’s entire face! Patients are often advised to apply a moisturizer along with their retinoid to help prevent dryness and irritation from the medications. As with all acne medicines, topical retinoids take some time to show results. Acne improvement often occurs 6-8 weeks after treatment is started.

There are some cosmetic perks to using a topical retinoid. The dark spots that are leftover from old acne breakouts fade more quickly when a retinoid is used. Patients often observe more even skin tone and texture, as well as a visible reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size with use of these medications – all the more reason to be consistent with your prescribed acne regimen!

TRACTION ALOPECIA

Traction alopecia is a form of scarring hair loss that results from chronic pulling of the hair. Scarring hair loss, if left untreated, can result in permanent loss of the hair follicle.

Traction alopecia may be caused by hair styles (braids, weaves, ponytails), or aggressive brushing or hair pulling. It usually affects the hairlines, but in the case of ponytails, may affect the top or back of the head. This type of hair loss is initially reversible, but over time, if can result in permanent scarring of the follicle.

Treatment typically involves cortisone injections to the affected areas of the scalp. Topical steroid medications are often prescribed for the patient to apply to the scalp at home. Gentle hair care and avoidance of pulling the hair is imperative to correct this form of hair loss. If medical treatment fails to improve the problem, hair transplant is indicated.

Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a form of hair loss that is seen after severe physical or emotional stress, especially childbirth and surgery. A large number of hair is pushed into a shedding phase where too much falls out at once. We are always losing some hairs, but generally <15% are falling out at any one time. In TE, the hair fall out at a greater rate and can make the affected areas look mild-to-severely thin. This form of hair loss usually recovers spontaneously in 1 year or less, but rarely can become long-lasting. If treatment is needed, both topical steroids and in-office cortisone injections can be used.

NIKKI’S ACNE CORNER – HOW TO SELECT A MOISTURIZER WITH SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Spring has sprung and it’s that time of year to start thinking about sun protection. Many acne patients are hesitant to apply sunscreen to their faces out of concern that it will clog their pores and worsen their acne breakouts. However, acne medication (whether they are topical or oral) will make the skin burn more quickly upon exposure to ultraviolet light, so sun protection is critical. Fortunately, there are MANY great facial moisturizers with sunscreen available for acne-prone skin.

When purchasing a moisturizer with sunscreen, you want to choose a product that has an SPF 30 or higher. Ideally, the product should have “broad-spectrum coverage,” which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words “non-comedogenic” on the packaging – this indicates that the product will not clog pores and is safe for acne-prone skin.

Wow!!! I just ran across this on Facebook, and was amazed and shocked. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO This video has 27,688,283 views… +2… I had to watch it twice. The post that came along with the video said “flat curlers.” My reaction was “Really?” As much as I talk about styling being traumatic, including heat styling, this would go beyond the pale. So… I tracked down the source of the video.

As is often the case after multiple shares, it turns out the message got twisted. It wasn’t curling at all. This is the ancient art of Dahuojia hairdressing, which involves using a pair of red hot metal clamps to burn off hair rather than cut it. Yikes. Although faster, it’s reminiscent of what so many of us have seen for years and years in the basement shop – the look and sound of burning hair – my memory goes right to that familiar smell, too. This video shows one of the last Chinese barbers practicing this art.

Keep in mind that Asian hair is very different from other ethnic hair variations. It is round, straight, and very well protected by its outer cuticle (the layer of cells that coat the hair on the outside and lay over it like shingles on a roof). The cuticle lays very flat so the hair is very well protected from damages and nutrient loss. This is unlike wavy or kinky-curly hair types found in non-Asian people, which have cuticles that are less firmly attached to the underlying structures. Asians have tolerated this method of hair cutting for thousands of years – it only lost its popularity in the 1980s. Interesting, but with so many less traumatic options out there, I encourage everyone to use warm (not red-hot) heat styling tools, and choose scissors rather than burning of the hair to achieve that perfect cut. 🙂

Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group is excited to announce the arrival of the first ARTAS System robot for hair transplantation in Metro Detroit!

Robotic technology allows for permanent hair restoration WITHOUT the pain and stitches associated with traditional hair transplants. Recovery time is fast, with most patients returning to work and other activities within a few days.

How does it work? The ARTAS robot identifies your optimal hairs to use for transplant (these hairs are typically taken from the back of the head – see video clip here: http://youtu.be/XQwiOQMLl4U). Hair is selectively harvested with robotic precision to preserve the natural look of your donor area. Dr. Edwards then transplants the hair into the thinning and bald areas. Patients observe noticeable, permanent, thicker hair growth in 4-6 months. This hair will continue to fill in over the next year.

The ARTAS robot was designed with the patient in mind. In the past, hair transplants could be a difficult proposition. Patient feared unnatural or pluggy hair results. Previous transplant techniques were more invasive, requiring stitches and many weeks of recovery time. Even after recovery, patients often lived with an annoying and obvious line scar in the back of the head, resulting in the feeling of scalp tightness and hair style limitations.

With the ARTAS robot, patients can now expect great-looking results without the downsides of older techniques. Hair plugs, invasive surgery, and long recoveries are things of the past.

“I came to the office to have my acne treated, but they said I have rosacea. Isn’t that the same thing?”

Acne and rosacea are two very common skin conditions that we treat on a daily basis. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 40-50 million Americans suffer from acne at any one time – acne is the most common skin problem in the U.S. (AAD reference). The National Rosacea Society estimates that 16 million American suffer from rosacea, the majority of which go untreated (NRS reference). While both conditions can cause red, inflamed bumps on the face, acne and rosacea are different and often require a different approach in treatment.

Acne bumps are thought to be caused by 4 factors: blockage of skin pores, excessive skin oil production, colonization of bacteria within the plugged pore, and inflammation. It remains unclear as to what causes rosacea. Dermatology specialists have observed a genetic tendency in many rosacea patients (i.e. it tends to run in families). Some research has suggested that skin bacteria, skin mites, and certain skin proteins might play a role in the development of rosacea.

Acne can appear as different types of lesions: firm small bumps (“papules”), inflamed pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and cysts. Many patients can have a combination of these different lesions.

Rosacea can manifest as facial redness and enlarged blood vessels (erythematotelangectatic rosacea), bumps and pustules (papulopustular rosacea), and skin thickening and nose enlargement (phymatous rosacea). Many rosacea patients report a long history of frequent blushing and flushing of their facial skin. Rosacea patients often complain of irritated, itchy, and/or dry facial skin.

To make things more complicated, it is entirely possible for an individual to have both acne and rosacea lesions on the face!

While acne and rosacea are different conditions, many topical and oral medications exist to help manage both problems. Be sure to consult with your dermatology specialist if you think you may be suffering from acne and/or rosacea.

Many individuals purchase what they think to be true African Black Soap, when they have actually purchased an imposter. Our dermatology office is proud to offer authentic African Black Soap to our patients who are interested in incorporating natural products into their skin care regimen. Black Soap is traditionally made from roasted plantain skins, cocoa pod, palm oil, and natural sodium – it is not scented and does not contain chemicals, synthetic ingredients, or fillers. The natural anti-inflammatory ingredients in Black Soap can help with multiple skin conditions, including acne and eczema. Many of our patients incorporate Black Soap into their prescription skin care regimens.

I don’t watch too much reality TV. When I finally get in front of a TV with some time to spare, I don’t want more reality – I already have a healthy dose of that. Nevertheless, I ran across “It’s a Mann’s World” one night (Jan 21, 2015) and decided to watch. I was pleasantly surprised! For anyone who isn’t familiar with the Manns – David and Tamela are a long-married Christian couple who became widely known in Tyler Perry projects like “Meet the Browns.” Tamela is also a gospel singer. I found their family to be quite funny and genuine. The way they handle their marriage, their faith, and their children is incredibly refreshing in the world of reality TV. I hope they can stay above the fray. They are the subject of the blog this time because David Jr. was into getting some hair in this episode!

Daddy Mann said he went bald at 22. David Jr. is balding at 25… so young to lose his hair. David Sr. is (of course) comfortable with his appearance, but David Jr. isn’t there yet. They referenced a bet where dad shaved son’s hair and it never grew back. When a person has a genetic predisposition to hair loss, the only questions are when it will occur and how far it will go, but I’m sure it was traumatic for David Jr. to lose it without having a chance to mentally prepare.

In this episode, David Jr. started out with a wig – which was a “no-go” but really funny to watch. He then had one of his relatives make him some “hair.” It turned out that the application was strategically applied mascara, which of course was a hilarious moment when he revealed the new look to his family. Although these methods were not going to work, he was not deterred from reaching his goal, and he made a doctor appointment.

David Jr. saw a local hair restoration doctor to find out if growing his own hair back was an option. Now I was really paying attention… who knew the show would touch on one of my favorite subjects?! The doctor he saw discussed hair transplant – specifically follicular unit extraction – with David Jr. Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is one of the types of hair transplant that I perform, and it is particularly popular because it leaves no linear scar in the back of the head. It is done in men and women of all ethnicities. FUE involves removal of only small groups of hairs (follicular units) – kind of like using a tiny cookie cutter to remove only the hairs, leaving the surrounding skin behind. This is as easy as a skin biopsy, and created only small round wounds that are very difficult to see after the healing is complete (each wound is less than 1mm in size). Best of all, there is no line scar in the back of the head so that the hair can be worn short. Those hairs are then placed in the thin areas on the top or front of the scalp where they will grow, get shampooed, and get cut normally. I’ve had a lot of men ask me if it really works… yes, it does.

The traditional method of hair transplantation is called follicular unit transplantation, or more commonly, “the strip method.” This involves taking out a long piece of skin from the back of the scalp, which includes all the hairs normally present in the area. The skin is then stitched or stapled back together for healing. This leaves a usually inconspicuous line scar IF you wear your hair long enough to conceal it. This scar can be problematic and often a deal-breaker for African-American men and other people who wear their hair very short because the scar will show.

With his ever-present comedic personality, which is clearly genetic, David Jr. wondered aloud if hair transplant would affect his brain – the answer is no. It is a superficial procedure done on the skin of the scalp only – it doesn’t require general anesthesia or hospitalization.

This is a huge decision for anyone to make – it’s not right for everyone, especially at age 25. In the end, David Jr. decided that hair transplant was not right for him at this time because his wife assured his that she was still in love with him and found him to be sexy and desirable. I applaud him for his decision making process. David Jr. did his research, tried other options, consulted loved ones, did some soul-searching, and came to his best decision. If he changes his mind by the time he’s 35, I hope he comes to see me.

When patients come to our office complaining of hair loss, he or she is typically worried about hair thinning on the scalp. However, hair loss can occur on other “hairy” parts of the body. Gradual thinning of body hair over time in generally not a concern, but body hair loss can occasionally be a sign of a more serious problem.

Normal areas of age-related hair loss can include the underarms, legs, and pubic area. Many women report that that need to remove hair less frequently in these areas as they get older (after numerous years of shaving/waxing, many women are relieved by this aspect of aging!). This type of hair loss tends to be a very gradual process.

Hair loss and bald patches of the eyebrows and eyelashes is more concerning. Alopecia of the eyebrows can be an early sign of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA), a form of scarring hair loss that affects the frontal hairline. FFA requires early treatment as the end result is severe and permanent. Thinning of the eyelashes can be age-related or can be a sign of Alopecia Areata, an auto-immune form of hair loss in which the body attacks its own hair follicles.

Gradual, age-related hair thinning of the underarms, legs, and pubic area is NOT something that can be treated. Thinning eyelashes, however, can often be treated with a prescription product called Latisse. Latisse is a topical solution that is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes to grow the lashes fuller, longer, and darker. Side effects from Latisse include increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye and eyelid skin darkening. Latisse is a cosmetic product that is not covered by insurance.

NIKKI’S ACNE CORNER – Why was my prescription for acne medication sent to a mail order pharmacy?

During your visit today, one or more of your acne prescriptions may have been sent to a mail order pharmacy. As you are probably aware, the cost of health care is increasing and many acne medicines are no longer covered by insurance companies. This has made acne treatment challenging and has prevented patients from having access to many excellent acne medications.

Several pharmaceutical companies have partnered with mail order pharmacies to help improve patient access to medication. These partnerships help to reduce the co-pay that patients pay toward their medicine. Most of the mail order pharmacies ship the medications to the patient’s home for free.

How does it work? Our office staff either e-prescribes or faxes the prescription(s) directly to the appropriate mail order pharmacy. The patient is then instructed to call the pharmacy to provide his/her prescription insurance information , verify the mailing address for shipment, and make their co-payment over the phone. The pharmacy then ships the medicine directly to the patient’s home.

These programs typically are available to patients with commercial insurance. Those with government insurance policies (Medicare, Medicaid) are not eligible for prescription discount programs thru the manufacturer.

HAIR CARE PRODUCTS “UNBOXED”

Have you seen the numerous “unboxing” videos available online? Unboxing refers to the practice where consumers record themselves on video unpacking new products (electronics, toys, etc). The purpose of unboxing videos is to show a product for what it really is without the influence of the manufacturer or advertisers.

Afterglow chooses minerals, pigments, and certified organic ingredients of the highest quality in their cosmetics.

Organic antioxidants, such as grape seed extract and pomegranate, are added to the minerals for their age-defying properties.

Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group proudly features Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics. Our esthetician is available to help with foundation color matching. We carry a wide variety of eye colors and lip colors, as well as blushes, bronzers, concealer, and mascara. Afterglow’s professional-grade vegan cosmetic brushes are ideal for applying loose minerals evenly to create a flawless finish.

Dr. Edwards specializes in hair loss disorders affecting both women and men, with a special interest in hair loss affecting women of color. This video features the Elon Thinning Hair System, which is a product line Dr. Edwards frequently recommends for her patients suffering from hair loss.